Gambit arrives. Who: Gambit, NPC!Sinister, NPC!Rogue, and Psylocke When: Late evening. (In terms of the X-Men timeline, I am ignoring the recent Messiah Complex storyline, and instead pulling Gambit out of the events of X-Men issue #204, shortly after he and the Marauders have attacked the X-Men and kidnapped Rogue) Where: The hideout of Mister Sinister’s Marauders, followed by Angel’s Walk in downtown L.A. What: Gambit has a change of heart, and arrives in the Parabolical universe Rating: TBD (probably PG-13ish?) Status: Complete
“Dis has gone far enough.”
Gambit whispered the words under his breath as he looked down upon the woman he loved. Seeing Rogue in this condition – in a coma as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest – pained him more than he thought possible, and the knowledge that he was aligned with those who did it was even worse. He had known what he was getting into when he had thrown back in with Sinister, but had truly felt he was doing the right thing. Still, since joining Sinister’s Marauders he had already been involved in far worse scenarios than he had initially expected, such as being inadvertently responsible for the death of his old comrade, Cable. He knew he would never be able to forgive himself for that, but if he allowed the same fate to befall Rogue? He wouldn’t even be able to live with himself. He wouldn’t let it come to that.
“Don’t worry, chére,” he whispered, brushing her cheek with his gloved fingers, “we gonna get you out of here.”
“No, I don’t think we will.”
Gambit spun around to find Mister Sinister standing in the room’s doorway. Luckily, it didn’t look like any of the other Marauders were with him – which would at least make this resemble a fair fight. Gambit reached his right hand into his pocket and grabbed a hold of his card deck, preparing for what was to come.
“Sorry, Sinister, I done everyt’ing you asked, but dis is it. Rogue is off limits from dis moment forward, and if dat means de end of our l’il arrangement, den so be it.”
“I find your sudden case of conscience …disappointing,” replied Sinister, “although not entirely unexpected. I’ve tried so many times to help you see the light, LeBeau, but that’s the problem with you…those pesky emotions always get in the way.”
“Yeah, well, what can I say…I’m a suckah for a pretty face. Your mug, on de other hand…” As Gambit spoke, he pulled his hand out of the pocket, revealing the cards tucked between his fingers, now glowing red as he charged them with kinetic energy. No sense hiding his intentions now – Sinister knew what he was up to, and there was probably no way out of this without a fight.
“Come now,” answered Sinister, a sly grin crossing his face, “what do you think this will accomplish. Even if you save your precious Rogue, and get past me, where will you go? Do you really think your precious X-Men would have you back, after everything you’ve done?”
Sinister’s words stung Gambit, but at the same time he was able to answer without hesitation. “Yeah, actually, I t’ink dey would.” He looked back down at Rogue, and thought about how partially responsible he was for her current state. “But in all honesty, I don’t t’ink dey should. Dey’ve given me one too many chances in de past, and it looks like it’s always come back to haunt dem. Maybe dey…maybe she, would be betta off without me. But just cause dere’s no home for me out dere, don’t mean I can’t make sure she gets back to hers.” Gambit raised his hand, ready to throw the charged cards at the figure blocking his exit. He hesitated, though, thrown off by the fact that Sinister was not attacking – in fact, he was simply standing there, still smiling. “Somet’ing funny, homme?”
“Funny? No. Ironic? Yes.” Sinister began slowly walking in Gambit’s direction as he spoke, but did not seem to be doing so in a threatening manner – at least, not yet. “You say you have no home waiting for you, but that is exactly what I have to offer you now. I’m no fool, Remy, I always knew you would eventually try to betray me. I suppose I could have killed you at any time, to prevent this inevitability, but no…that would be easy, and besides, I believe you might play an important role in the future, just yet. Still, I can’t let this change of heart go unpunished. So instead of destroying you, I will give you the home you seek.”
“Well, dat’s mighty kind of you, but if it’s all de same, I t’ink I’m done wit’ your favors.”
Sinister’s smile grew even larger. “My dear Gambit, who ever said I was giving you a choice?” With that, a large glowing portal of some sort suddenly opened behind Gambit. The Cajun could feel himself being pulled towards it, and he was forced to drop the cards and grab onto the table Rogue lay on.
“What…is…dis?”
“Why, it’s just what you want, Gambit. A new beginning. I can’t have you mucking about in this universe, not with all the important events that will soon come into play. So, instead, I give you one last favor. Consider it a thank-you for your service. A new home – a new universe, in fact – where perhaps you can finally repent for those sins of yours…or at least accept yourself for the devil we both know you truly are.”
In Gambit’s time with the X-Men, he had encountered enough alternate realities and universes to know that Sinister’s words could hold some truth to them – but he couldn’t allow it to happen. Not now. He couldn’t leave Rogue in the hands of this madman.
“Oh, don’t worry,” said Sinister, apparently having read Gambit’s mind, “she’s in good hands here. You already said she’s probably better off without you…now we can test whether you really believe that.”
“Nooo…” Gambit’s strained words came through gritted teeth, as it was taking all his might to hold onto the edge of the table and not be pulled into Sinister’s mysterious portal. “Not…like…dis…” Even as he spoke, though, he could feel his grip slipping.
“Remy?” It wasn’t Sinister’s voice that spoke, but Rogue’s. Gambit looked down at the love of his life, and saw that her eyes had fluttered open. She looked up at him, a dazed expression on her face. “What’s…going on?”
Gambit could feel his fingers losing their grasp, and he only had time to take one last look at Rogue. “I’m sorry, chére.” With that, Gambit’s hand was pulled free, and he closed his eyes in anger and frustration as he was suddenly plunged into darkness.
…
He didn’t know how long he was in this strange void – it somehow felt like both just seconds and also days – but he suddenly snapped back to full consciousness, and quickly looked around him to gain his bearings and get a sense of his surroundings. He didn’t know what he had been expecting to see…but it wasn’t this. This was no barren wasteland, or strange post-apocalyptic future. This was…
“Los Angeles?” Gambit recognized the area…Angel’s Walk, a walking and shopping district in downtown L.A. He had been here before…hadn’t he? If Sinister’s words were true, he supposed not. Was this really no longer the reality he knew as home? There was only one way to find out. He pulled the collar of his trench-coat up to protect against the chilly night-time breeze, and began walking. It was time for a little investigating.